Profile
marktay
- Politics:Republican
- Location:Alviso , California
L.A. layoffs could cost the city more than $32 million
Under contracts negotiated last year, layoffs would trigger two raises in the coming fiscal year for union coalition workers. Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa's financial rescue plan for the coming year may soon boil down to the following question: When does it become too expensive to lay people off? Read More »
Senate has some work left on health-care bill
Leaving a meeting of House Democrats, Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) walked off quietly Saturday afternoon with a few aides but was stopped in his tracks by an unfamiliar face. Read More »
Norby easily wins O.C. race to replace disgraced assemblyman
Norby, 60, a Republican, had been heavily favored over Democrat John MacMurray, 63, and Green Party candidate Jane Rands, 43, in the 72nd Assembly District. Read More »
How Climate Change Law Shapes the Gov Race
Although a 12.3% unemployment rate and $20 billion budget deficit ensure the economy will dominate California’s race for governor, Republican front-runner Meg Whitman has guaranteed that the environment will also be a high-profile issue in the campaign. Read More »
Medical marijuana clubs get cold shoulder on Peninsula
A recent spate of temporary bans on setting up medical marijuana dispensaries in Peninsula cities probably has more to do with changing laws and "not in my backyard" sentiments than hostility toward the concept of medical marijuana, officials said. Read More »
Yule rite takes political stance
A crowd of about 50 shuffled down dark streets Tuesday in a re-enactment of the holy family seeking shelter in Bethlehem before the birth of Christ. Read More »
Online charter school plan rejected throughout California
A group that wanted to start the first statewide kindergarten through 12th grade online charter school, has been rejected by all of the nearly 100 California school districts asked to approve its plan. Read More »
Sonoma County's stimulus tally more than $100 million
The federal government is pumping more than $100 million in stimulus funds into the Sonoma County economy — probably. The impact of the two-year flow of money — in jobs created and saved and in money spent locally — is clear. Except when it's not. Read More »
Jerry Brown campaign gets funds from casinos
State Attorney General Jerry Brown is on a fundraising roll, having collected more than $1.65 million for his gubernatorial run in the past month - with more than $1 million coming from that big Hollywood fundraiser a couple of weeks back. Read More »
Survey: State officials get blame for higher-ed cuts
It's been a tough year for higher education, and it looks like it might get tougher still. Enrollment cuts, furloughs and frozen salaries have been felt by students and faculty of the California State University systems. Fees were hiked in May for University of California students, and trustees voted last week to add another 32 percent increase over the next two years because of the state's budget crisis. Read More »
State may push for TVs to use half the energy
California regulators, concerned over the proliferation of flat-panel television sets that guzzle electricity, could soon impose first-in-the-nation laws that restrict how much power televisions can consume. Read More »
New Bill Would Raise Rates, Says Insurance Group
After months of collaboration on President Obama's attempt to overhaul the nation's health-care system, the insurance industry plans to strike out against the effort on Monday with a report warning that the typical family premium in 2019 could cost $4,000 more than projected. Read More »
Grieving Walnut Creek mom seeks marrow-donor law
NO LAW CAN erase the mind-numbing grief of a woman who has lost her eldest child. But it could help ease the burden on Hoang Mong Thu, a Walnut Creek pharmacy technician whose 27-year-old daughter, Michelle, died of leukemia July 25. Read More »
Boxer's got $6.3 million in the bank. Who's ready to rumble?
Here's something to whet your appetite until we report on the new Field Poll on the U.S. Senate race in California: Sen. Barbara Boxer will report $6.3 million cash in the bank when she files her paperwork October 15. Read More »
ICE plan to increase deputies' immigration role is criticized
Los Angeles County sheriff's personnel would assume a greater role in the processing and deportation of illegal immigrants identified in the jails under a newly proposed agreement with the federal government, placing an "inordinate strain" on the department, according to a report released Thursday. Read More »
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Pelosi: '10-ton anvil lifted' when Bush departed
Speaker recounts events of inaugural day, sees greater influence for California in Obama administration. Read More »
Dan Walters: Obama's win doesn't mean windfall for California
When George W. Bush began running for president eight-plus years ago, he lavished attention on California, a state his father had won in 1988 but lost in 1992 as Bill Clinton captured the White House. The younger Bush campaigned in California ex Read More »
Key inauguration role puts Feinstein in spotlight
California Sen. Dianne Feinstein congratulates President Barack Obama after his inauguration on Tuesday. Feinstein headed the joint congressional inauguration committee that planned the ceremony and luncheon.WASHINGTON – Sen. Dianne Feins Read More »
California Republicans put taxes on table for state budget deal
After months of holding firm on a "no new taxes" pledge, some Republican lawmakers said Wednesday that they are willing to consider a tax hike as part of a wider-ranging deal to close the state's budget gap. Republican legislators' internal budg Read More »
State controller: I won't carry out governor's furlough order
Democratic State Controller John Chiang announced Wednesday that he will refuse to carry out Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's order to cut state worker pay in February unless a judge demands that he do so. Chiang's newfound opposition creates more u Read More »
California could reap $21.5 billion from U.S. stimulus plan
WASHINGTON – A new analysis shows that California would get a whopping $21.5 billion under an economic stimulus plan that's expected to be approved by the House next week, making it the biggest winner among the 50 states. That's according t Read More »
Union rally demands a budget fix
Cassendra Bedford of Los Angeles, center in pink gloves, joins in the budget-deficit chants by the Service Employees International Union at the Capitol on Friday.About 1,000 state workers and their supporters rallied on the state Capitol's sou Read More »
State suffers third biggest monthly job loss since end of WWII
Staggered by layoffs, store closings and other troubles, California's job market suffered through one of its worst months in history in December, pushing unemployment to 9.3 percent. Some 78,200 jobs disappeared statewide, the Employment Develop Read More »
Prop. 8 donor disclosure dispute heats up
California's attorney general and election watchdogs are fighting back against a federal lawsuit seeking to bar disclosure of late donors to the state's same-sex marriage ban. Attorney General Jerry Brown, Secretary of State Debra Bowen and the Read More »
Schwarzenegger warns of layoffs if furloughs fail
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is warning state employees he will start issuing layoff notices if a court doesn't let him force workers to take off two unpaid days a month. Read More »
State tax refund delay hurts low wage earners
With California's budget quagmire forcing an indefinite delay to state income tax refunds, taxpayers on the lower end of the income scale are most likely to feel the pain. About 65 percent of the 10.1 million state refunds issued last year went Read More »
Cal State students speak up over proposed slashes to financial aid
Students -- some with full course loads and multiple jobs -- address the Board of Trustees, protesting Gov. Schwarzenegger's proposed cuts and delays of Cal Grants. Read More »
L.A. County Federation of Labor endorses Chu for Congress
The chairwoman of the state Board of Equalization is vying to succeed Rep. Hilda Solis, Obama's pick for Labor secretary. The 32nd Congressional District covers East L.A. and the San Gabriel Valley. Read More »
Exxon Mobil shatters U.S. record for annual profit
Exxon Mobil Corp. today reported a profit of $45.2 billion for 2008, breaking its own record for a U. Read More »
Economy shrinks at 3.8 percent pace in 4th quarter
The government says the economy shrank at a 3.8 percent pace at the end of 2008, the worst showing in a quarter-century, as the deepening recession forced consumers and businesses to throttle back spending. Read More »
California inmate release plan begins
Does anyone know if this plan will include deporting felons?
Freed journalists home in US after North Korea pardon
I m very happy to hear these women were released. Our former president Clintons will take full credit of course.
Drug testing proposed for state legislators
I hope this does not move past a proposal. What a complete waste of tax dollars!!!!
California first-time jobless claims drop for third week
I would still be cautious about all this. Some economists have stated that there will be a second wave of foreclosure as well as loan defaults mainly from credit card debt and home equity lines.
Stimulus funds for health centers, job training
Is it stimulate the economy? The Public employee will more benefited than the hard working private citizen who loses his house, car and savings.
Schwarzenegger threatens third furlough day for state employees
The third furlough day is not a surprise as he can furlough state workers as many days as he chooses. No one can predict what the Governor will do next. Even if the Legislature agreed to cut state worker pay 5%, the Governor can impose more furlough days. The question remains, how many months or years will the furloughs be imposed?
California to pay owners to scrap high-pollution cars
Where is the money coming from for a program like this ? It makes absolutely zero sense.
Obama takes on insurers over gov't plan
Are you believe the insurance companies on changing the way health care gets done in this country? They have a stangle hold on the industry and are wringing out every cent possible from you and me. Of course they don't want a thing to change.
Cal State students speak up over proposed slashes to financial aid
Delaying grant money is a crime! This was money that was promised to these kids.
State controller: I won't carry out governor's furlough order
I totally dislike with Chiang, When thousands of people are being fired daily, why do want to keep these lazy state workers employed? Instead of these state workers serving us. We seem to be serving them. A furlough should be much more palatable to them then being laid off indefinitely.
Key inauguration role puts Feinstein in spotlight
Actually, I can't figure out from her actions half the time which party she actually belongs to..
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Southland panel rejects funds for ethanol fueling stations
Smart move! Solar will dominate California, not ethanol. I have not problem with fuel diversity, but Federal money should be placed on solid bets like solar.